Fabio Wardley is hoping victory over Justis Huni can prove to be a springboard to an eventual world title shot at Oleksandr Usyk.
Wardley and Huni clash on Saturday night at Portman Road, the home of Ipswich Town, and both men are seen as having bright futures in the heavyweight division .
Neither man has tasted defeat yet, but only one can push on towards bigger fights with heavyweight titles very much the focus for the victor.
Last year, Wardley provided a reminder of his incredible power as he blasted Frazer Clarke in the opening session to close the door on their terrific rivalry that also saw them draw in the first half of 2024.
Whoever comes out on top on Saturday night in East Anglia will immediately tum their focus to July 19 at Wembley Stadium.
There, Usyk and Daniel Dubois will collide for the undisputed heavyweight title, and Wardley has given his thoughts on when he will be ready for a fight of that size.
“Is this the fight to get me over the line? Probably not. There’s more stepping stones to be done,” said Wardley when speaking to Sky Sports .
“Ultimately it is 100 percent a step in the right direction and a step into that contention. If he’s [Usyk] saying he’s got two fights left, do I think I would be his next fight? No.
“Early next year is when I’ll be in a prime spot to push on for one of them actual full-on world titles, whether he’s still around at that point or not is only a question for him really.
“But if he is, I’ll 100 percent be pushing my mandatory [shot] and trying to get that done.”
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